Rebuild Ready?

[topdownstl1978]

1978 124 Spider 1800, electric fuel pump

I believe I have a pretty severe case of blow by. Last season I got quite a bit of smoke when car first started. Way better when warmed up. Car drove pretty decent and I had tons of fun! The other day I changed the oil to get ready for this season and the oil was very thin and had a strong gas smell. Is this another sign of blow by? Does this mean rings are bad? I have not driven it yet this season, but car starts right up. I am considering pulling the motor after this season and tackling the rebuild on the motor. I have thought about sending it off to Midwest 124, but that could get $$$. I'm going to call them anyway to see what they say. I have a good friend that is a very good mechanic although not much experience with foreign rebuilds. Are there things to be sure I have professionally done, such as valve adjustment, etc.?

Any suggestions?

[joelittel]

You can handle adjusting your valve lash, and you'll be happy you did once you're done. With the engine out of the car, replacing the piston rings wouldn't be a difficult job at all. Getting the engine out of the car is by far a more difficult task, but not impossible.

I just finished building up a 2L, and all things considered it wasn't that difficult. It's in the car now but I haven't started it yet, so I can't say that it has been a success, but so far it's gone well.

I'd say go for it, build one up yourself. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much you learn about your car in doing so.

I got all the parts I needed before beginning my build and slowly put everything together on an engine stand. I spent a year or so accumulating parts so the financial burden was spread out.

I highly recommend printing a copy of the microfiche on Brad Artigue's site. Seeing how all the parts and pieces go together makes all the difference in your confidence.

[klweimer]

It does sound like you may have a ring or a head gasket problem. You should consider doing a compression test to see how your cylinders look or have a good garage do some diagnostic work to pin this down. As joellittel said, rebuilding is not too bad, but does take time. If you have a good mechanic as a friend, the two of you can certainly do it. These engines are rebuilt like any other. Key items include the factory service manual, a good machine shop and a place to work. The downside to rebuilding is how long it can take. Because I could only work on my motor on the weekends, it took about 6 months to complete. You might consider waiting until fall to dive in.
Kirk

[70spider]

The downside to rebuilding is how long it can take.

ou might consider waiting until fall to dive in

Another option is to build a second motor while you drive your car. That is what I am doing, building a 1608 to replace the 1438 while driving my car every day. I also have blow by on #2 cylinder but he runs fairly well and have been driving him for over a year now. The biggest wait has been on the machine shops, took 3 months for the cylinder head and I am still waiting on the block, crank, and flywheel for 3 weeks.
Some advice that I have received.
1. Do not have the block hot tanked, due to the auxiliary bearings, a mild detergent wash should be sufficient, advice from Csaba at Autoricambi.
2. Do not do the tear down and remove the crank to far in advance of taking it to the machine shop. I did and my crank rusted even though I bathed it in oil prior to putting it in storage, and will need to be cut down.

+1

I highly recommend printing a copy of the microfiche on Brad Artigue's site.

this is gold . I am doing my first rebuild and these documents and everyone here have given me the confidence to do it.
Good luck

[topdownstl1978]

Any help on which Artique microfiche I should download? I do not see 1978 engine file.

[joelittel]

Each link covers a section of the car. As well as multiple production years.... but I don't see a 78 listed either.

not sure how you should proceed.

[70spider]

I think the motor 1800 in the "78s is the same back to '75. However, you could email him and ask, he sent me the specs for my motor. Also, you may want to get this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-1976-1977- ... jL&vxp=mtr I would get it but it does not have 1970-71.
I hope that helps.